Reoccurring anal abscess with no answers of why

I have been having reoccurring abscesses and ulcers for a little over 4 years and have had surgery to have them drained and cut down through muscle, with still no answers of why! The longest I have gone without them reoccurring is 3 months, it first starts with my body feeling like I am getting the flu then the abscess gets bigger and bigger. I have seen numerous dr.s with everyone saying they think it's Crohn's but not actually diagnosed. I have had a colonoscopy and nothing showed up, blood work comes back normal, and still no answers. I have no idea what else to do, but know I can not continue to go through the pain of the abscesses and surgery every few months. Anyone else have gone through this or any ideas what else it could be causing the abscesses?

I had kind of a similar case in that I had multiple fistulas, but nothing else was showing the evidence of Crohn's that my doctor was looking for. Finally I had an IBD panel done, which I would caution is not a diganostic tool, but my doc wanted something to confirm that he was on the right track, and it came back consistent with IBD so he was comfortable in making the diagnosis. Prior to that, I had also seen many different other doctor's, I moved a bunch of times, but the other doctors quickly dismissed my case. My advice is to find a doctor that is committed to finding out what is wrong instead of dismissing it as nothing.

Alli

Thank you for the advice, it is so frustrating as you know!! I am a runner and every time I have to have surgery I hate the fact of not being able to run or be active!! But I also want to find out what is going on with my body! I feel like every dr dismiss me and when having a flare up I am in so much pain, I never know quit what to do. I started getting acupuncture but didnt notice a difference. So you would just recommend the IBD panel? And what is that?

When was the colonoscopy done and do you know whether any biopsies were taken? Also as this time were you experiencing problems with ulcers and abscesses or had this settled down? If bloods and a scope were the only tests carried out then I would say there are other tets that could be done to check on things higher up in the GI tract - scans, MRI and a pill cam for example. Also with the bloods do you know what was specifically checked and do you get any other symptoms with the tum? Also where do the ulcers and abscesses occur?

AB
xx

I'm a marathon runner, I know the frustration. I haven't been able to run for the past 6 months or so, but just started Remicade so am hopeful will be able to run soon. I miss my running group.

The IBD panel I would think is a last resort if nothing else shows anything. I had a colonoscopy, endoscopy, video endoscopy, a whole bunch of blood work and then my doctor decided to do the IBD panel. It's a commerically available blood test, I think there are several labs that do it, mine was sent to San Diego, it's not done in Canada. Takes about a week to get the results. It's not completely accurate, but it can help point your doctor in the right direction.

Colonoscopy was done last month no abscess at the time no one has done a MRI or any other things except blood work when the abscesses do come back I get super sick and am in bed for 3-4 days and with 2 kids and 2 very active dogs that I usually take on my runs with me it's really hard to live a normal life as you all know! I seriously have been in so much pain I am willing to do just about anything!!! My abscesses I get are in my anal area which could they at least be on my finger or somewhere less embarrassing!! I seriously feel like I spend 3/4 of my life in a bath soaking!! So over this and so need answers

Sorry hope you start to feel better, I've had like 11 abscess drainages since summer of 2011 so i know how it feels :/ My rectum and anal area are messed as well. I have a temporary ileostomy too (and they keep coming back!) The permanent solution would be to have your rectum and the rest if the infected area removed (so a permanent ostomy). Has a surgeon placed a seton ring or malecot catheter in the anus area? Maybe you could request a prescription for pain meds in the meantime? It hurts a lot for me it sit (assume the same for you) so I take 2-3 vicodin throughout the day and that helps a bit. Pretty much what I have learned is you have to go through trial and error with meds and hope for the best. What meds are you on? Good luck.

Definetly push for tests to be done to find out why you keep getting these,do you get any other symptoms with the tum at all?

I get major stomach cramps, flu symptoms, and bloody stools. It's crazy cause some days I feel normal and other days I don't want to leave the house. I have a referral to see specialist this Thursday praying for answers I can't continue to live like this and have surgeries every few months!

I will be keeping fingers crossed that things can move forward for you with this upcoming appt, pls keep us updated on how you get on.